Out of the game :( Competitive CrossFit while pregnant

Recieved some disappointing news yesterday.

After completing three online qualifying workouts team Big Bitch Little Bitch (the beautiful Jo Gamblin – aka Gambo, aka Childish Gambino, aka Head Bitch and I) had qualified to compete at the first Double Impact competition. A same sex pairs comp open to national and international Crossfitters but held at the Mount Battern Centre running track in Portsmouth. Run by local coaches I know and respect, with teams made up of close friends including my sister and my first time on a running track since my far from sporty school days. I was excited!

Gambo was one of the first to find out about my pregnancy and Double Impact soon came into question. Deciding we would just have a bit of fun would take each WOD as it came we were set on remaining in the competition.

With 3 weeks to go all the WODs had been released. The first – 400m run each, then 30 clean and jerks @ 40kg and 30 toes to bar, split as we liked. The run I was a little apprehensive about as I knew we were in a heat with some excellent runners (Gemma Legs Green for one!) but comfortable with the C & J and T2B. Pull-ups and dips may be harder with 6kg extra bodyweight but bar work is feeling a lot stronger!

The second WOD was a max weight complex of 1 clean, 2 hang cleans, 3 shoulder to over heads, 4 front squat, 2 hang cleans, 3 shoulder to over head, 4 front squats – without dropping the bar. Your score is the combined max weight of your team. Fine, I could go lighter and we could still set a decent score as Gambo is a powerhouse!

I had emailed the organisers as I thought they might want to know in advance I would be 15 weeks pregnant by comp time, incase they wanted us in a different heat or I needed a different waiver etc. Didnt hear anything so assumed all was fine.

No news is not always good news.

The delay in reply was down to them struggling to decide if I should be allows to compete. They concluded the answer was no 🙁 Gutted!

Nothing against them at all! I do completely understand where they are coming from. They don’t want to risk me doing any damage to myself or the baby, I may not be covered in their event insurance, and they have put a lot of work into organising this, they probably want everyone to take it seriously. Absolutely no beef 🙂

That doesn’t mean I won’t be sad to be sat on the side lines!

I’m sure some will call me irresponsible for even considering it. Non-Crossfitters may look at the workouts and be disgusted a pregnant woman would ever put herself in that position. But I know myself, I know my capabilities and I know that these workouts were within limitations when pregnant.

I should mention I had already qualified for and pulled out of Pound for Pound, a singles competition where weights are based on your bodyweight. As a 5ft (previously) 55kg CrossFitter I am strong for my size. This would have been a good comp for me, however there was no partner to take some of the load and it was a comp I wanted to take seriously. I didn’t think it would be responsible to take part in this one – not to mention I am now 61kg so all lifts would be heavier 😛

Spectating at Double Impact will be tough. I’ll be gagging to get on the track, but I will sit there with my pom-poms, cheer on my fellow athletes and eat some self-pitying cake.

I would like to add a public apology to Gambo for my inconsiderate timing in getting knocked up.

Naomi Bazeley

Naomi is a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer.
If you are looking for one on one coaching, nutritional advice or you are interested in getting in to CrossFit, Naomi can work with you to help you to achieve your goals.